Customer Reviews

Brasileiro

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a huge fun of Putumayo's music collections, as well of their idea of expanding world music knowledge, and in some occasions donating some of their profits to strongly needed causes. Still I'll try to be as objective as possible:

While 'Brasileiro' might not include most of the best music artists from Brazil, it is so far one of the best "various artists" albums that you can find about Brazilian music. Believe me, they are not easy to find. I am not Brazilian, but I know their culture very well, and besides the well-known Passos, Da Vila, Nunes, Bosco, Carvalho, and Torres, I was very pleased to discover other talents such as Jorge Ben (o namorado da viuva), Nazare Pereira (clarao de lua), or Chico Cesar (mama Africa).

If you are looking for fast-dancing samba, or go-crazy party music, this CD is NOT for you. The music in this CD is kind of easy-listening, relaxing, surprising, romantic, and if you've ever been to Brazil, it is tremendously nostalgic. Very pleasant while reading a book, playing with your date, or just chatting with some friends.

Other Putumayo's great titles I recommend are 'Cuba' (my favorite), 'Afro-Latino', 'Athens to Andalucia', and especially if you like this one, 'Cape Verde'.

-A spaniard, and a world music fan

"Brasileiro" is an anthology CD of 13 different songs by 13 different performers from the world of Brazilian music. This is an excellent blend of the mellow and the playful. Each track is a wonderful blend of instrumental music and vocal performance.

There is a good mix of male and female vocalists. The generous liner notes discuss each artist and his/her work in the context of Brazilian music. Some of the standout performances on the disc are the following: Silvia Torres' sweet, seductive "Take Sarava"; Celso Machado's magical-sounding "Despedida"; Jorge Ben's sweet, gentle vocals on "O Namorado da viuva"; Chico Cesar's "Mama Africa," with its reggae-like sound; and Chico Buarque's fun, upbeat "Cantando No Toro." But my favorite song on the disc is probably Clara Nunes' "Canto Das Tres Racas," which features a majestic, elegant vocal performance.

I have to admit: I don't have much knowledge of Brazilian music, and I can't speak Portuguese. But I will say that this is a fine CD, full of passion and artistic skill, and I think that it has the potential to appeal to a broad audience.

I have a little more than a year learning portuguese and I love the brazilian culture: the food, the folklore and the music. Brasileiro is a good CD for those who wants to introduce theirselves to the exotic and sensual rythm of the samba, the MPB, the forró and the bossa nova. "Take Saravá" is a nice song and you need to hear "Clarao de Lua" or the slaves's song of "Canto das tres racas" for understand the passion and the culture of the brazilian people. Beth Carvalho and her sexy voice are wonderful in "Danca de Solidao" and "Berekeré", that is include in the soundtrack of the movie "Woman on Top" has a cadence without equal. You will learn that Bahia is the "land of hapiness" and the inspiration of a lot of composers, musicians and famous writers, it's the land of the magic and creation...

After listen this disc you will understand the meaning of "saudade" that is a mixture of loneliness, sorrow and nostalgia. The guide included in this Putumayo CD is very educative and take your hand for conduce you inside the brazilian sounds. Enjoy it. Vc vai gostar demais. Beijao.

This is another very fine release from Putumayo. This is a collection of 13 recent compositions by modern Brazilian artists. I already had some familiarity with a few of the artists featured on this CD (Jorge Ben, Chico Caesar, Chico Buarque). However, most of the artists are new to me and I am very pleased to discover them! The liner notes state that, back home in Brazil, some of the artists are million sellers and others are relatively unknown. I find such a mixture very refreshing.

The songs reflect a range of styles and textures from different regions of the country. I immediately liked 9 of the 13 compositions on the very first listening. There are two very interesting covers: Rosa Passos does Jobim's classic "Aguas de Marcao" and Beth Carvalho does Paulinho da Viola's "Danca de Solidao" (in my opinion, these two alone would be worth the price of the CD). I think the rest of the compositions are oiginals. The original compositions range from regional folk styles (Despedidia, Berekere) to bossa/jazz (Visgo de Jaca) to reggae/funk (Mama Africa) to samba (Canto des Tres Racas) to pop (Take Sarava).

It's hard to describe the arrangements because the styles are so varied. I can say this: no schmaltzy strings or annoying pop synthesizer cliches. It sounds like Brazil to me -- not Hollywood.

[...] 3 sound clips are available. IMO none of these three are the best on the CD, but they may give you some sense of what the CD is like.

Overall, it is not as "edgy" as Luakabop's "Beleza Tropical" collections (although I love those collections, too!). To my ear, this Putamayo collection is less techno/pop and more "down home."

Lastly, the CD packaging is wonderful. It includes a 23-page booklet that tells you a little about the musical history of Brazil and a little bit about each of the artists on the CD.

I give this CD a very high recommendation. Anyone who wants to sample a little bit of the real flavor and flair of modern Brazil will surely enjoy it.

One of my favorite CDs. I never tire of listening to it. I love all the tunes, esp the infectious Take Sarava sung by Sylvia Torres and the lovely rendition of Aquas de Marco by Rosa Passos. Overall, very well produced.

This was my second recording of Brazilian music, after "Samba de Carneval de Brasil". The first tweeked my interest and the second turned me into a real fan of Brazilian music. I think it is the best of my 10 Putumayo recordings. The liner notes are also very informative. I also highly recommend the "Nordeste Brasil" sampler by Verve. This recording was a real ear opener to me as to how the innovative Brazilians utilize the accordion and remains one of my favorite CD's. Be aware that it has a slightly less dymanic and open sound than the Putumayo's.

The music on this CD offers just a taste of the Brazilian musical feast. Some of the artists are huge stars in Brazil. Others are little known. The title of this collection, Brasileiro, means simply "Brazilian." It is a tribute to a people whose musical passion and creativity are unsurpassed.
Music is more than just entertainment in Brazil. It is the soundtrack to life, a constant ambiance of rhythm and melody that enriches and supports the people through good times and bad. Carnaval, the bustling bacchanal every February, is an eruption of musical activity, but throughout the year the rhythms of samba, bossa nova, MPB (musica popular brasileira), forro, pagode and countless other styles are constantly in the air. They flow from the stereos of taxis, rural boom boxes, the rusty speakers of beachside cantinas and live, impromptu jam sessions on street corners. Brasileiro captures this ambiance and brings it into your home.

Putumayo World Music

This album has a great deal of variety.Putumayo excels in its acoustic compilations (along with "African Odyssey","Gardens of Eden"&"Greek Odyssey"),and this is DEFINITELY one of them.

There are different styles,from thoughtful bossa nova to passionate samba.Jorge Ben sings a bouncy song about a young man wooing a rich widow;Joao Bosco rhythmically sings a recipe for a Brazilian shrimp dish called vatapa;Clara Nunes passionately sings of the suffering of Brazilians throughout history;Chico Buarque (uncle of the popular singer Bebel Gilberto)sings a rapturous ode to the samba singer.It's got variety and stands on its own.If you want a good introduction to Brazilian music,this is a compilation to get.

I'm in agreement with the person who said there is much better music from Brazil than this cd gives us. There are a couple of good singers on here, but 2 out of 14 ain't great odds.

If you want a good Brazilian album get some of the classics. Most of this music is kind of ugly.

este cd intenta ser una introduccion en la variada musica de brasil.Los interpretes varian de famosos a ignotos. Los temas distan de ser los mejores de cada uno . podemos acceder a diferentes ritmos ,y nuevas voces que son dificiles de encontrar : nazare pereira,sylvia torres o conocer a otros chico cesar, zeca baleiro,etc. Es muy desparejo en la calidad musical, y no permite apreciar la riqueza de los diferentes ritmos e interpretes. Las ausencias son notorias, pero es inevitable,en la amplia musica de brasil. No es un gran cd, solo nos aproxima, no transmite la riqueza musical enorme de ese pais y`para el que no conoce puede darle una imagen deslucida y erronea.